Ball-rack for pool-tables



(No Model.)

' 0. T. BUGG & D. IVEY.

BALL RACK FOR POOL TABLES.

No. 269,825. Patented Jan. 2, 1883.

linemen STATES P TENT @rrrce.

OWEN T. BUGG AND DAVID IVEY, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

BALL-RACK FOR POOL-TABLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,825, dated January 2, 1883.

Application filed October 7, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, OWEN T. BUGG and DAVID IVEY, of Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball- Racks t'or Pool-Tables; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to an improvement in ball-racks for pool-tables; and it consists in the combination, with the rack, of a pivoted tube having a vertical opening through one side, and a triangular box orreceiveratits lower end, so that when the tube is turned in such a position as to bring the slot in its side opposite the different compartments in the rack, the balls will drop down through the tube in the triangle placed in the receiver below.

The object of our invention is to provide an attachment to the racks made to receive poolballs, whereby all the balls can be emptied at a single movement into the rack and then deposited upon the table, whereby much time and trouble is saved the players.

Figure 1 is a'front elevation of a rack embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, showing the tube turned so as to bring its slot opposite the compartments in the rack. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show different forms of rack whichmay be used.

A represents a rack, such as is generally used in connection with pool'tables, with the exception thatthe different compartments have the holes B at their outer ends, through which the balls are inserted, and the holes (J at their inner ends, through which the balls are discharged. This rack should be placed either at a very slight inclination, or else the compartments in the rack should be slightly inclined down toward the holes 0, so that when the balls are inserted through the holes B they will at once run down toward the inner ends of the compartments, readyto be discharged into the triangle.

Secured to the top and bottom sides of the rack are suitable plates or bearings, D,in which is jonrnaled the tube E. This tube has a slot, F, cut vertically through one side, and

each slot is made large enough to allow the balls to pass freely through it from the ditferent compartments. Upon the lower end of this tube is formed a triangle or other suitablyshaped receiver, G, in which the triangle H is placed to receive the balls. While the game is being played the tube is kept turned, as shown in Fig. 1, so that one side of the tube will close allot the holes 0 and keep the balls in the ditt'erent compartments. 'When the game is done it is only necessary to turn the tube around until the inner end of the receiver strikes against the stop, which is formed on the inner corner of the raolewheu the slot will be broughtjust opposite all of the holes 0 and the balls will instantly be dropped into the rack, which is placed in the receiver below to catch them. i

The triangle is provided with a removable bottom, so that after the balls have dropped into it the triangle, carrying the balls with it, can be placed upon the table,and then, by removing the bottom, drop the balls in position. This bottom may either be made to slip in through slots made in the widestend of the triangle and be provided with a catch,or the bottom may be attached to the triangle by means of studs or projections; 01' the bottom may be made in two pieces, and be made to close inward through slots, which are made in opposite sides of the triangle. When the bottom is made in two pieces, as is shown in Fig. 4, there will be suitable projections or handles at the outer corners, so that by a slight movement of the handle the two parts of the bottom can be swung outward, so as to drop the balls upon the table below. In order to support these two parts of the bottom in position, each one will be provided with a small. projection, 0, at its rear end, which will pass through suitable openings in the rear end of the triangle, aud thus support this'end, while the front or smaller end of the two parts will be supported by the frame itself.

In playing pool where the ordinary racks are used, a great deal of time is lost in gathering the balls from the rack intoa basketand then placing them in the triangle upon the table. By the construction here shown the balls are all discharged into the rack by a simple turn of the tube, and then the rack is at once transferred to the table, and the balls-at once discharged by the removable bottom. here six games can be played in an hour using the rack now in use, by the use of the rack here described enough time is saved toalloiv at least two more games to be played in the same time, thus effecting a saving of time to the players and insuriugthe owner-sot the tables which are kept, for hire a larger income.

Having thus described our invention, we claim- Thecombination of a rack having'an opening made through the inner end to receive the compartment and a revolving slotted tube having a receiver formed upon its lower end, substantiallv as described. 1 2. Thecombinationolarael:havinganopen- 3 ing' made through the inner end of each comi partment, and a revolving slotted tube having a receiver formed upon its lower end, with a stop to control the movement of the receiver, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a rack having an opening through the inner end of each compartment, and a. revolving slotted tube having a receiver at its lower end, with a triangle having a removable bottom which is to be placed in the receiver, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we at'fix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

OWEN T. BUGG. DAVID IVEY. Witnesses:

XV. H. KERN, Jiums THOMAS RODGERS. 

